Jeff Bobo

ROGERSVILLE — A Hawkins County man was arrested Saturday evening after his children reportedly called 911 and stated their father had been drinking, was acting aggressively toward them, and they didn’t feel safe.

Shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday HCSO Deputy David Benton and other deputies were dispatched to 192 Manis Road west of Rogersville where they reportedly found Ricky Dean Reed, 53, of that address, lying in the front yard talking to his wife on the phone.

When deputies arrived Reed reportedly ended the phone call with his wife, and upon being told by deputies why they were there, stated that his children were fine.

A welfare check was then conducted on the children ages 8-17 inside the home.

“They all stated that their father had been drinking today and had been acting irrationally and very aggressive towards each of them,” Benton stated in his report. “(The children) informed me they did not feel safe being with him.”

When Reed was confronted with what his children had stated he allegedly became agitated and told deputies he’d done nothing to make his children feel unsafe.

Benton added, “Cpl. (Sam) Wilhoit went to speak with the children, at which time Mr. Reed also started toward the house, still acting in an aggressive manner, telling us that he would tell his kids he had done nothing to make them feel unsafe and they would tell us the same thing.”

Benton said he told Reed to stop several times as he walked toward the residence, but Reed refused.

Due to Reed’s “aggressive nature” and fearing for the safety of the children, Wilhoit and Benton physically restrained Reed and placed him under arrest.

Reed was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. He was arraigned Monday in Hawkins County Sessions court, and a Jan. 15 court date was set.